This is the story of an old Chinese farmer who lived many years ago.
He had one old horse that he used to plow his fields. One day, the horse ran away into the hills.
Everyone said, “We are so sorry for your bad luck.”
The old man replied, “Bad luck, good luck, who knows?”
A week later, the horse returned with a herd of wild horses, which now belonged to the old man.
Everyone said, “We are so happy for your good luck!” The old man replied, “Good luck, bad luck, who knows?”
While his only son was riding one of the wild horses, he fell off and broke his leg. Everyone said, “What bad luck!”
The old man replied, “Bad luck, good luck, who knows?”
One day, the army came to the village and took all the strong young men to be soldiers for the emperor.
Only the old farmer’s son was spared because he could not fight with a broken leg. Everyone said, “What good luck!”
The old man replied, “Good luck, bad luck, who knows?”
-Ancient Chinese Parable
The moral of the story is that it’s impossible to know whether the things that happen are good luck or bad luck. You never know what will be the consequences of misfortune until they happen. God works wonders with what we see as bad luck. Good luck, bad luck, or God moving in mysterious ways? Have faith, like the farmer, be patient, be grateful, and get “lucky.”